Key-ring.



KEYRING.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV 7 1913.

Patented Sept. 15, 19M.

' proved key-ring;

' TED STATES harm? JAMES H. BOYE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THEBOYE NEEDLE COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

KEY-nine.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Sept. in, mm.

Application filed November 7, 1913. Serial No. 799,698.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMEs H. Born, a cit izenof the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement inKey-Rings, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention comprises an improved key-ring; and the primary object ofthe invention is to provide a key-ring which operates in an improvedmanner and which can be manufactured at moderate cost.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of theim- Fig. 2, a side edge view of the same; Fig. 3, an end edge view ofthe same; Fi 4, a broken plan view showing a modification; Fig. 5, anend edge View of the construction-shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6. a brokenview taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 4E.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the mprovedkey-ring is shown as comprising a shank 1 and a ring or annulus 2.

The device may be advantageously formed from a strip of metal, or flatwire, being thus of integral formation. In such case, the shank 1issplit or provided with branches which are oppositely curved to formcomplemental semi-circular members with overlapping ends, theextremities being indicated at 3 and 3 The shank 1 is preferabl itselfto provide a hook 4:, which may serve both as a handle, and as a meansofsecuring the key-ring to a belt, or to the hem of a pocket." At thefree extremity or edge of the annulus 2, that is, at the edge oppositethe point of junction with the shank 1, the outer edge portions of thecurved branches 2* and 2 are struck away from each other, as indicatedat the points 5, 5, thus afiording a recess or mouth 6 with beveledwalls. The the key tions 2 and 2 apart, thus enabling the key to bereadily entered on the ring. Each of the ring-sections 2 and 2 is odset,as indicated at 7, thus affording a recess 8 at the point where the keymust be entered between the ring-sections when it is desired to removethe key from the ring.

folded upon- The operationof applying the key to the mug is very easilyeffected by inserting the head of the key in the mouth 6, thusseparating the ringsections, after which the-key may be slipped over theextremity of one of the ring-sections in the usual way. In removing thekey, the key may be entered at the recess 8 and the ring-sections may beforcibly separated, the shank and hook of the device serving as a handleto enable the keyring to be readily held during this operation. As willbe noted the free ends or extremities of the annulus 2 extend but ashort distance beyond each other,

the ring or their removal therefrom. Thus it is possible to separate alarge bunch of keys on the ring and remove a middle .key therefrom withfacility by holding the hook portion of the device between the thumb andmiddle finger. The index finger may be used to separate the curved endsof the annulus, thus aiding in removing or inserting keys. In themodification shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6,-1 represents the shank of the device; and 2 and 2 represent the curved branches or ring-sections. Theconstruction is similar to that already described, except that eachring-section is struck or bowed outwardly, that is, away from the planeof the annulus, as indicated at 9, and the extremity of eachring-section 15 preferably curved outwardl slightly, as indicated at 10.The extremity o each Icing-section also preferably partially overliesthe recess 11 formed by bowing the companion ring-section, as indicatedat 9. Thus it will be understood that there are provided at the points11 distinct orifices which enable the key-head to be readily entered toforce the ring-section apart in the operation of removing the key fromthe ring. Obviously, the ring or annulus shown in Fig. 4 may beduplicated at the opposite end oft-he shank 1* if a double key-ring bedesired.

The improved key-ring possesses numerous advantages in use. Forinstance, the shank being rigidly connected to the ring enables the ringto be held in a horizontal position while the shank serves as a handle,thus allowing the keys to distribute themselves, so that a desired keymay be readily selected. Again, the device may be readily attached to abelt; or it may be introduced into a pocket with the hook engaging the vwhich construction greatly facilitates the insertion of keys on flap orhem of the pocket, while the keys are allowed to distribute themselvesin the pocket, instead of fallin in a mass to the bottom of the pocket.Tie device is preferably formed integrally of a flat strip of ma terialpossessing the desired springiness or resilience. Any suitable materialmay be used, however.

The foregomg detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no undue limitation should be 1111- derstoodtherefrom.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A key-ring comprising. a member having a shank and-oppositely curvedbranches ex- "edge-portions separated at an overlapping pointafiording amouth enabling a key to be introduced, and each ring-section beingoffset to aflord a recess adjacent the extremity of the companionring-section.

JAMES H. BOYE.

Ii -presence of- L. HEISLAR, A. J. FLOYD.

